An Oscar Challenge That’ll Make Your Head Explode

As we’ve done in past years at Nerdonomy, we’re hosting a challenge to prepare our movie-loving followers for the 88th Academy Awards. This year, however, we must warn you, the challenge is steeper than it’s been in the past. While usually the Oscar Challenge can be completed in watching 17-19 films, this year the challenge requires a MINIMUM of 20 films to be seen, and as many as 25 if you’re really pushing yourself. So get ready to do some sitting.

Just like the previous challenges, this will be completed in three phases. Are you ready to begin?

Phase One: The Best of the Best

This is a great start. Seeing all of the following films will complete the categories of Best Picture, Directing, Production Design, and Film Editing (because let’s face it, WE ALL saw Star Wars).

Room

Spotlight

The Big Short

Brooklyn

Bridge of Spies

The Revenant

The Martian

Mad Max: Fury Road

Bonus Film: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (if for some reason, you didn’t see it. This is purely for movie nerd bragging rights)

Phase Two: Choose Your Own Adventure

Complete all from ONE of the following categories. This is the catch-up round, so try not to hurt yourself, here. You’ve still got a lot of sitting ahead of you.

THE 100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED — Love Larson and Eva von Bahr

The Revenant — Siân Grigg, Duncan Jarman and Robert Pandini

The Shorts (2 Categories)

Live-Action Short Film Nominees

Animated Short Film Nominees

Note: These are often presented together in their entirety through your local theater chain, or are available to download from iTunes or Rent through streaming services.

Phase Three: It’s About to Get Rough

You must see ALL the remaining films in the Acting and Writing categories. This one is tough. Even if you’ve already completed Phase One, this means you still need to see another 6-7 movies (depending on your Phase Two choices) to complete the challenge.

If you possess the fortitude, passion, and free time to complete this challenge, we PROMISE you will be the most authoritative (Read: annoying) guest at your friend’s Oscar Party this year. If you need proof, completing the challenge fulfills the following categories:

Best Picture

Directing

Film Editing

Production Design

Sound Mixing

Actor in a Leading Role

Actress in a Leading Role

Actress in a Supporting Role

Actor in a Supporting Role

Writing (Adapted)

Writing (Original)

Visual Effects

But wait…there’s ONE. MORE. TEST.

Phase Four: The Ultimate of Ultimates

Sicario

Right now you’re thinking “…that’s it? All that build up for ONE FUCKING MOVIE?!”

Yes.

This film is arguably more brutal than The Revenant in content and tone. And if you watch this seemingly easy film, you will have added the following ADDITIONAL categories to your belt:

Cinematography

Sound Editing

Music – Original Score

This is now 15 categories you would have completed. Depending on your Phase Two choices, you will have seen all the films in 16-17 categories of the 24 up for adjudication.

YOU WILL BE AN OSCAR MASTER.

But keep in mind, this is a BONUS phase for bragging rights only. Completing Phases 1 2 and 3 will complete the challenge.

But I’m sure right you’re thinking “well, what’s my incentive?” Well we were just getting to that.

The Prize

If you complete the challenge by 5 PM PST, on February 28, you will receive a FREE embroidered Nerdonomy duffel bag! Prize quantities are extremely limited, and will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Runners-Up (Read: QUITTERS!) will at least get a shout-out on Nerds on Film with the number of films you did end up seeing, and our respect.

How to Play/The Rules:

If you’ve won in previous years, you are not eligible for the first prize. However, if you do complete the challenge, reach out to us through our Talk to Us link, and we’ll figure something out.

You may e-mail us at [email protected] with the subject Oscar Challenge 2016 with your name and shipping address.

You MUST keep track of your ticket stubs and receipts to prove that you’ve seen those movies. In the case of online rentals, screenshots will suffice. If for some reason you’ve already seen some of the movies and thrown away your ticket stubs, you must provide some physical proof you’ve seen the movies by legitimate means.

Send the photos of your stubs and screenshots by 5 PM on February 28th to the address and subject above to complete your challenge and claim your prize.

On our January 11th blog post, I posed a challenge to our readers and listeners to see 18 of the Oscar nominated films (check out the post to see the details and prizes!).

It seems this year, the Challenge has proven to be rather daunting. I myself have a mere 7 films to go prior to the big day. I was ahead of my pace, and then I skipped a week. So now I need to see 3 films this week to catch up. Thankfully, I will have plenty of time to sit and relax and watch movies because as you are reading this, I am having my wisdom teeth extracted.

We here at Nerdonomy would like to extend our congratulations to all winners of Academy Awards this year; your achievements were well recognized. I also want to take a moment to sincerely thank all those who listened to our live Oscar podcast: it was a lot of fun, and we look forward to our next live episode in the not-too-distant future.